Marshall University plans to require student advising, overhaul its core curriculum and take other steps to retain more students after their freshman year.

Marshall President Stephen Kopp wants to increase the university's freshmen retention rate from 70 percent to 80 percent. The national average is 64 percent.

The university also wants to help more students graduate within six years.

Provost Gayle Ormiston outlined the school's plan Thursday at the university's Board of Governors meeting. The plan also includes improving community and better use of student assessment.

Ormiston says 1,862 first-time freshman are enrolled for the fall semester, an 11.5-percent increase from last fall.

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